UAE Labor Roundup

Insurance sector not serious about Emiratisation: Dr Al Awar pointed out that emiratisation in this sector is hindered by the dominance of a single foreign nationality, no clearly stated and concrete emiratisation policies, and no dedicated human resources unit and emiratisation officer. “The sector should work to eliminate all these shortcomings by turning the work environment into a multi-cultural one and submitting clear plans for signing agreements with Tanmia, which is ready to supply them with national workforce trained on insurance skills and practices.” The Cabinet Decree 202/2 for 2003 requires 15 per cent emiratisation by the end of 2004, and an annual increase of 5 per cent. The decree also requires the insurance companies to appoint at least two nationals in management positions by the end of 2005, he said, and disappointedly noted, “After the passing of more than five years since the issue of the cabinet decision in regard to emiratisation of the insurance sector in 1998, the rate of employing nationals in this sector has increased by just 0.3 per cent.”

Choice between ‘real jobs’ and ‘dream jobs’: THE Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim said there was no unemployment among nationals. What we understood by that statement was that there were job opportunities provided to nationals by the armed forces and the police, but the job-seekers registered with Tanmia were not interested in taking up the jobs offered to them. Therefore, the matter becomes a choice between what one is interested in and what is available in the market.

Tanmia made in-charge of Emiratisation drive: Studies done by Tanmia revealed that in the banking sector only seven out of 47 banks operating in the UAE had achieved their 2004 Emiratisation target of four per cent; that over 19 banks registered a gap of over 10 per cent between the targeted and realised levels; and that the overall Emiratisation percentage realised by the sector was 27.6 per cent. In the insurance sector, only one out of the 46 operating firms achieved the prescribed quota (5 per cent) and that the nationals accounted for only 5.3 per cent of the sector's overall work force in 2004. Practical steps were agreed upon in the meeting to accelerate implementation of the Cabinet resolutions in order to reverse the modest results.
+In the trade sector, 537 firms have furnished the required data while 118 declined. Accordingly, Tanmia has requested the Ministry of Labour to apply the appropriate measures against the non-compliers, and to give the firms who furnished the data a respite up to the end of 2005, in recognition of their timely response.
+The meeting also reviewed a report on the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Council, a project implemented by Tanmia based on a mandate by the Council of Ministers. The Council is to provide institutional support for this vital sector to attract more nationals.

Labour Ministry not to reinstate terminated expat staff: The decision has been taken as part of Emiratisation percentage at government departments and institutions adopted by the UAE government to ensure nationals have more opportunities to take up jobs at the public sector. "There is no way that we change our mind concerning the termination issue. We even do not have any idea to rethink about the decision. I am in charge of the administration affairs so if there was such a plan, I would be the first to know. We have been implementing the government policy to help more locals to enroll in the now vacant positions," reiterated the official....He underscored that the termination decision was not taken as a punitive measure but it came in line with the cabinet decision stipulating that the ministry has to abide by a certain emiratisation quota.

MANAGERIAL & SUPERVISORY
Last updated: 21-May-2005
Office Manager cum Administrator, Indian, preferably MBA, required urgently for a manufacturing company in Ajman. Minimum 3 years UAE experience & excellent communiation skills a must. Attractive package. Send CV to: ______
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Operations Manager, Indian, required for a leading firm in Dubai. Fax CV to 04-_____.